Psalm CXLIII

Hear, O my God, with pity hear,
My humble supplicating moan;
In mercy answer all my prayer,
And make thy truth and goodness known.

And O let mercy Still be nigh;
Should awful justice frown severe,
Before the terrors of thine eye,
What trembling mortal can appear?

My persecuting foes prevail,
Almost I yield my struggling breath;
The cheerful rays of comfort fail,
And sink me to the shades of death,

While thus oppressive sorrows flow,
Unintermitting o'er my head;
My inmost powers are whelm'd in woe,
And all my hopes and joys are fled.

I call to mind the former days;
Thy ancient works declare thy name,
Thy truth, thy goodness, and thy grace;
And these, O Lord, are still the same.

To thee, I stretch my suppliant hands,
To thee my longing soul aspires;
As cheering showers to thirsty lands,
Come, Lord, and fill these strong desires.

Come, Lord, on wings of mercy fly,
My spirit fails at thy delay;
Hide not thy face; I faint, I die,
Without thy blissful healing ray.

Speak to my heart; the gloomy night
Shall vanish, and sweet morning break;
In thee I trust, my guide, my light,
Teach me the way my feet should take.

My soul's desires ascend to thee,
O save me from my numerous foes;
To thy kind guardian wing I flee,
For safe defence and sweet repose.

Teach me to do thy sacred will;
Thou art my God, my hope, my stay;
Let thy good spirit lead me still,
And point the safe, the upright way,

Thy name, thy righteousness I plead,
O Lord, revive my drooping heart;
Let these distressing fears recede,
And bid my troubles all depart.

Those unrelenting foes destroy,
Which thus against: my peace combine;
Then shall! thy service be my joy,
And all my active powers be thine.